Auxiliary wheel attachment for cycles



Aug. 25, 1931.

AUXILIARY WHEEL ATTACHMENT FOR CYCLES Original Filed Feb. 10. 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 A. HESS 1,820,190

A TTORNE x3 Aug. 25, 1931.

A. L. HESS AUXILIARY WHEEL ATTACHMENT FOR CYCLES Original Filed Feb. 10} 1930 5 Sheets$heet 2 I N VE N TOR A/erf [00/27/766 Hess $44M @Maca- A'TTORNE 14s Aug. 25, 1931. A. L. HES 1,820,190

AUXILIARY WHEEL ATTACHMENT FOR CYCLES Original Filed Feb. 10, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 v 11v VENTOR ad fl/Macz,

ATTORNEY Aug. 25, 1931. A. L. HESS 1,320,190

AUXILIARY WHEEL ATTACHMENT FOR CYCLES Original Filed Feb. 10, 1930 5 SheetsSheet 4 2 y A 30 I F 4% J 33 IIVVENTOR 6 55 Y 4/0erf1aum0wfless am a; awn,

53 32 45 A TTORNE Ys Aug. 25, 1931.

.A.. L. ess AUXILIARY WHEEI: ATTACHMENT FOR. CYCLES 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Original Filed Feb. 10, 1 930 Patented Aug. 25, 1931 UNETD OFFICE .ALBER-T LAURANCE HESS, OF L053 ANGELES, CALIFGRNIA, ASSIGNOR TO CYCLETOW CORPORATIGN, LTD., OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, A CORPORATION OF GALI- FORNIA Application filed February 10, 1930, Serial This invention relates to a bicycle convertible into a tricycle, or a four wheel vehicle. The stability of a bicycle is main tained by steering to hold the centre of grav- IOZ back. A particular instance is that wherein automobile service stations find it necessary to send a service man to drive a car from a distant point to the service station. Motorcycles are commonly used for this purpose and under the present practice, two men are sent from the service station, one to drive the car on return and the other to drive the motorcycle. Such practice is uneconomical as only one man is needed for actual work to be performed in driving the automobile.

The present invention has for its primary object the provision of a bicycle such as a motorcycle with an attachment to convert it into a tricycle. Another object of this invention is to provide an attachment such that the bicycle may be converted into a tricycle or a four wheel cycle at will. To this end I have provided foldable arms carrying tricycle wheels which may be positioned in 30? inoperative position out of the way so that the vehicle may be operated as a bicycle and in open or operative position of the tricycle wheels to afford a tricycle or a four wheel cycle. Conditions frequently arise such as 35: wet weather, or sandy or very rough roads which render the use of a motorcycle dangerous or impossible. I have therefore provided an intermediate position of the foldable arms in which the tricycle wheels serve i as carrier wheels, to support the motorcycle which at the same time has both its wheels on the ground for operation under its own power. In addition to the broader objects of this invention, there arecertain details of structure contributing to simplicity and economy of constructionand ease of manipulation in converting the vehicle from a bicycle into a tricycle or vice versa.

These objects together with other objects and corresponding accomplishments are ob- No. 427,181.' Renewed November 10, 1930.

tained by means of the embodiment of my invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a preferred form of my convertible bicycle arranged as a tricycle and attached to the rear of a vehicle shown fragmentarily for towing, the arms being in open tricycle position; Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of the bicycle as shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a plan view on'an enlarged scale of the rear portion of the bicycle as shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 4; is a rear elevation of the blcycle with its rear wheel on the ground to operate as a four wheel cycle; Fig. 5 is a side elevation on an enlarged scale of the rear portion of the bicycle, arranged as a bicycle, the arms being in folded position; Fig. 6 is a rear elevation of the bicycle as shown in Fig. 5; Fig. 7 is a detail on an enlarged scale of one of the rods; F ig. 8 is a section as seen substantially on line 88 of Fig. 7; Fig. 9 is an elevation of the latch to hold the arm in folded position; Fig. 10 is a section as seen on line 10-10 of Fig. 9; Fig. 11 is a top plan view of the latch shown in F 1g. 9; Fig. 12 is an elevation partly in section of the spring carrying arrangement for one of the toggle arms; Fig. 13 is an end view of this arrangement; Fig. 14 is a detail of the locking device on the toggle arm; Fig. 15 is a view taken on line 15-15 of Fig. 14;; and Fig. 16 is a section as seen on line 1616 of Fig. 1 1. r Referring more particularly to the drawings, a motorcycle of standard construction is generally indicated by 20, and has the usual frame 21 equipped witha driving or traction wheel 22 at is rear end and having a forked steering member 23 at its forward end supported on a wheel 24 and provided with handle bars 25. The frame carries a motor 26 with usual accessories and transmission mechanism and a saddle or operators seat 27. As the details of the'motorcycle are not pertinent to the present invention, they will not be described further.

Secured to the rear of frame 21 and straddling the rear wheel is a plate of inverted U-form and suitably reinforced for stiffness. Mounted on each leg of this plate is a pair r H AUXILIARY WHEEL ATTACHMENT FOR CYCLES of eyes or brackets 31 having one end of an arm 32 pivotally secured therein. Pivotally secured in the other end of arm 32 is a steering knuckle 33, having a wheel 34 j ournalled thereon. Knuckle 33 is provided with the usual steering arm 35 having the rod 36 connected to it by clevis 37 and arranged to swing it. This rod is pinned to a bracket 38 mounted on plate 30 and is of telescopic construction. (See Figs. 7 and 8.)

Clevis 37 is provided with a long shank 39 which is slidable within a hollow section 40 provided with an eye for connection to bracket 38. Shank 39 is provided with notches 39a and 395 and a detent 41 arranged to engage either notch is mounted in a boss 42 formed on section 40. Pivoted on section 40 near this boss isa thumb lever 43 having one end engaging a notch in detent 41 and the other end engaged by a compression spring 44. This arrangement is such that the detent is normally urged into engagement with either notch 39a or 39b by spring 44, thus preventing relative movement of parts 39 and 40, but may be disengaged when such movement is desired by depressing the outer end of lever 43.

A bar 45 is attached to the knuckle pin in the outer end of arm 32 adjacent steering knuckle 33 and forms one member of a toggle joint or brace. A pair of bars 46 are pivotally secured to the other end of bar 45 and form' the other member of the toggle joint, their inner ends being pinned to a bracket 47 mounted on plate 30. straight forms a locking brace to hold arm 32 in its full open position as shown in Fig. 2. Adjacent the joint of arms 45 and 46 is a catch to retain the arms in straight relationship (see Figs. 14,15 and 17). A pin 48 is rotatably mounted in arms 45 and has plates 49 attached to its ends, a knob 50 being provided for turning it. Plates 49 in their short dimensions are the same width as bar 45, thus when they are turned as shown in dotted lines (Fig. 15) they will allow the toggle to break, but when in the position shown by solid lines will hold it straight. A fiat spring 51 is provided to engage one of the plates and hold it against accidental move ment.

A latch 52 is mounted on plate 30 to retain arms 32 in folded position. (See Figs. 9, 10 and 11.) A toothed member 53 is slidably 'mounted in a sleeve 54 secured to plate 30,

and is normally held projected by a compression spring 55 engaging a small lever 56 pivotally mounted on plate 32 and engaged in a slot in member 53. The member 53 may be retracted by operation of lever 56. The tooth engages a suitable projection on arm 32, such as an extension of the knuckle pin.

' Brackets 58a and 58b are secured near the bottom of plate 30 and carry a bar 59 which has a coil spring 60 attached to it (see This toggle when Figs. 12 and 13). The purpose of this will be described later. Bar 59 is preferably of square or of rectangular section, slidable in correspondingly shaped openings in brackets 58(& and 58Z and has a rounded portion 59a intermediate its ends, so that by sliding it to the left (Fig. 12) the square parts will disengage the brackets and the round portion 59-0 will be positioned in bracket 58a. This will allow the bar to gravitate downward or to be turned to make a half turn, lowering spring 60 to the position shown by broken lines.

Assuming that the bicycle is being towed, all parts will then be as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 wheels 24 and 34 being on the ground and driving wheel 22 being off the ground and not revolving. Arms 32 are in expanded position and are held there by toggle arms 45 and 46 which are locked straight. The machine is in effect a tricycle and may be towed in any convenient manner as by a tow bar 61 attached to the rear of an automobile.

Vhen it is desired to convert it to a bicycle,

the machine is held upright by any suitable mechanism, such arrangements being well iknown in the art. One of the detents 41 is disengaged from its notch 39-a, the catch on toggle arms 45 and 46 (on thesame side of the machine) is released by turning knob 50 and the toggle broken? Arm 32 may then be swung upward and engaged by latch 52. Similarly arm 32 on the other side may be raised, after which all parts will be as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, traction wheel 22 resting on the ground.

l/Vhen for any reason it is desired to operate the machine under its own power, but due to slippery roads or otherconditions, it is not practical to operate it as a bicycle, wheels 34 may be used as carrying wheels as shown in Fig. 4. Springs 60 are positioned as shown in Figs. 12 and 13, the toggles are broken, the inner ends or heels of bars 45 being supported by springs 60. Tie rod 36 is adjusted by engaging detents 41 with notches 395 to bring wheel 34 into proper relation with the ground. Thus wheel 22 may propel the vehicle while it is held upright by wheels34. The arms 45 being carried on springs 60 introduce suflicient flexibility to allow any of the three rear wheels to ride over bumps or depressions.

Vhat I claim is 1. A convertible bicycle comprising a frame having bicycle wheels in line, one of said bicycle wheels being a traction wheel; a pair of arms, said arms being connected by joints to opposite sides of said frame for positioning in folded position against said frame or in open position outstanding from said frame, a pair of tricycle wheels journalled on said arms atjthe outer ends thereof, said arms being ointed to said frame so that when disposed in folded position said wheels are locate'd'above ground engaging position and when disposed in outstanding position said wheels are disposed in ground engaging position either at or below ground engaging level of said traction wheel, toggle braces extendbeti'veen said frame and said arms to lock said arms in outstanding position with said tricycle wheels below ground eiigagin'g level of said traction wheel, and means on said frame to support the joints of said toggle braces inposition with said tricycle wheels at ground engaging level with said traction wheel. I j

2. A convertible bicycle comprising a frame having bicycle wheels in line, a pair of arms, said arms being connected by joints to opposite sides of said frame for positioning in folded position against said frame or in open position outstanding from said frame, a pair ofspindle knuckles mountedon said arms at the outer ends thereof, a pair of tricycle wheels journalled on the spindles of said knuckles, said arms being jointed to said frame so that when disposed in folded position said wheels are located above ground ongaging position and when disposed in outstanding position said wheels are disposed in ground engaging position, telescopic tie rods, one connected to each knuckle and anchored at its other end to the frame for positioning its tricycle wheel in travelling alinement with said bicycle wheels when said arm is in outer position and for lying flat in relation to said frame in folded position of said arms, means to lock said tie rods against extension or contraction with said tricycle Wheels in either position, and toggle braces to lock said arms in outstanding position.

3. A convertible bicycle comprising a frame having bicycle wheels in line, one of said bicycle wheels being a traction wheel; a pair'of arms, said arms being connected by joints to opposite sides of said frame for positioning in folded position against said frame or in open position outstanding from said frame, a pair of spindle knuckles mounted on said arms at the outer ends thereof, a pair of tricycle wheels jour nale'd on the spindles of said knuckles, saidarms being jointed to said frame so'that when disposed in folded position said wheels are located above ground engaging position and. when disposed in outstanding position said wneels are disposed in ground engaging position either at or below ground engaging level of said traction wheel, telescopicti'e rods, one connected to each knuckle and anchored at its other end to the frame for positioning its tricycle wheel in travelling aline ment with said bicycle wheel's when said arm is in either outer position and for lying flat in relation to said frame in folded position of said arms, means to lock said tie rods against wheels in either position of its three positions aii'dtoggfe braces to lock said arms in outst'ai'idin'g position.

4. A convertible bicycle comprising a; frame having bicycle wheels in line, one of said bicycle wheels being a tractionwheel; a pair of arms, said arms being connected by joints to opposite sides of said frame for positioning in folded position against said frame or in open position outstanding from said frame, a pair of spindle knuckles mounted on said arms at the outer ends thereof, a pair of tricycle wheels journaled on the spindles of said knuckles, said arms being jointed to said frame so that when disposed in folded position said wheels are located above ground engaging position and when disposed in outstanding position said wheels are disposed in ground engaging position either at or below ground engaging level of said traction wheel, telescopic tie rods, one connected to each knuckle and anchored at its other end to the frame for positioning its tricycle wheel in travelling alinement with said bicycle wheels when said arm is in either outer position and for lying flat in relation to said frame in folded position of said arms, means to lock said tie rods against extension or contrac tionwith said tricycle wheels in any one of its three positions, toggle braces extending between said frame and said arms to. lock said arms in. outstanding position with said tricycle wheels below ground engaging level of said traction wheel, and means on said frame to support the joints of said toggle braces in position with said tricycle wheels at ground engaging level with said traction wheel,

5. A convertible bicycle con'rprising a frame having bicycle wheels in line, one of said bicycle whcelsgbeing a traction wheel; a pair of arms, said arms being connectedby joints to opposite sides of said frame for positioning in folded position against said frame or in open position outstanding from said frame, a pair of'spindle'knuckles' mounted on said arms at the outer ends thereof, a"

pair of tricycle wheels journaled on the spindles of said l'r'nuckles, said arms being jointedto said frame so that when disposed in folded position said wheels are located above ground engaging position and when disposed in outstanding position said wheels are disposed in ground engaging position either at or below ground engaging level of said traction wheel, telescopic tie rods, one

connected to each knuckle and anchored at its other end to the frame for positioning its tricycle wheel in travelling alinement with said bicycle wl'i'eels when said arm is in either enter position andfor lying fiat in relation to said frame in folded position of saidarms, means to lock said tie rods against extension or contraction with said tricycle wheels in extension or contraction with said tricycle either position of its three positions, toggle braces extending between said frame and said arms to lock said arms in outstanding position with said tricycle wheels below ground engaging level of said traction wheel, the section of each of said toggle braces connected to a knuckle having a heel extending beyond its joint, and resilient means on said frame adjustably disposed to be positioned to support said heel or to out of support position.

6. A convertible bicycle comprising a frame having bicycle wheels in line, a pair of arms, said arms being connected by joints to opposite sides of said frame for positioning in folded position against said frame or in open position outstanding from said frame, a pair of tricycle wheels j ournalled on said arms at the outer ends thereof, said arms being ointed to said frame so that when disposed in folded position said wheels are located above ground engaging position and when disposed in outstanding position said wheels are disposed in ground engaging position, toggle braces extending between said frame and said arms to lock said arms in outstanding position, and clamps on said frame for holding said arms in fo-ldedposition.

7. A convertible bicycle comprising a frame having bicycle wheels in line, one of said bicycle wheels being a traction wheel; a pair of arms, said arms being connected by joints to opposite sides o f sa1d frame for positioning in folded position aga nst said frame or in open position outstanding from said frame, a pair of tricycle wheels ournalled on said arms at the outer ends thereof, said arms being jointed to said frame so that when disposed in folded position said wheels are located above ground engaging pos t on and when disposed in outstanding posit on said wheels are. disposed in ground engaging position either at or below ground engaging level of said traction wheel, toggle braces extending between said frame and said arms to lock said arms in outstanding positlon with said tricycle wheels below ground engaglng level of said traction wheel, means on said frame to support the joints of said toggle braces in position with saidtrlcycle wheels at ground engaging level with sald tract1on wheel, and clamps on said frame for holding said arms in folded position. I

8. A convertible bicycle comprising a frame having bicycle wheels in line, a pan of arms. said arms being connected by o nts to opposite sides of said frame for positloning in folded position against said frame or in open posit-ion outstanding from said frame, a pair of spindle knuckles mounted on said arms at the outer ends thereof, a pair of tricycle wheels journalled on the spindles of said'knuckles, said arms being ointed to said frame so that when disposed in folded position said wheels are located above ground engaging posit-i011 and when disposed in outstanding position said wheels are disposed in ground engaging position, telescopic tie rods, one connected to each knuckle and anchored at its other end to the frame for positioning its tricycle wheel in travelling alinement with said bicycle wheels when said arm is in either outer position and for lying flat in relation to said frame in folded position of said arms, means to lock said tie rods against extension or contraction with said tricycle wheels in either position of its three posi tions, a toggle brace to lock said arms in outstanding position, and clamps on said frame for holding said arms in folded position.

9. A convertible bicycle comprising a frame having bicycle wheels in line, one of said bicycle wheels being a traction wheel; a pair of arms, said arms being connected by joints to opposite sides of said frame for positioning in folded position against said frame or in open posit-ion outstanding from said frame, a pair of spindle knuckles mounted on said arms at the outer ends thereof, a pair of tricycle wheels journalled on the spindles of said knuckles, said arms being jointed to said frame so that when disposed in folded position said wheels are located above ground engaging position and when disposed in outstanding position said wheels are disposed in ground engaging position either at or below ground engaging level of said traction wheel, telescopic tie rods, one connected to each knuckle and anchored at its other end to the frame for positioning its tricycle wheel in travelling alinement with said bicycle wheels when said arm is in either outer position and for lying fiat in relation to said frame in folded position of said arms, means to lock said tie rods against extension or contraction with said tricycle Wheels'in either position of its three positions, toggle braces extending between said frame and said arms to lock said arms in outstanding position with said tricycle wheels below ground engaging level of said traction wheel, the section of each of said toggle braces connected to a knuckle having a heel extending beyond its joint, and resilient means on said frame adjustably disposed to be positioned to support said heel or'to out of support position, and clamps on said frame for holding said arms in folded position.

10. An attachment for a bicycle comprisinga pair of substantially flat brackets each having a substantially great width relative to its length, means pivotally securing one of said brackets along its width to the frame of said bicycle on one side of the driving wheel thereof, for vertical movement relative to said driving wheel, means pivotally securing the other of said brackets along its width to the frame of said bicycle on the opposite side of said driving wheel for vertical movement relative to said driving wheel, an auxiliary wheel journaled to the outer end of each bracket and movable with the bracket to a plurality of positions including one position in which the auxiliary wheels engage the ground when. the bicycle is upright, and an other position in which the auxiliary wheels are above the ground.

'11. An attachment for a bicycle comprising a pair of substantially flat brackets each having a substantially great width relative to its length, means pivotally securing one of said brackets along its width to the frame of said bicycle on one side of the driving wheel thereof for vertical movement relative to said driving wheel, means pivotally securing the other of said brackets along its width to the frame of said bicycle on the opposite side of said driving wheel for vertical movement relative to said driving wheel, an auxiliary wheel journaled to the outer end of each bracket and movable with the bracket to a plurality of positions including one position in which the auxiliary wheels engage the ground when the bicycle is upright and another position in which the auxiliary wheels are above the ground, and a third position in which the auxiliary wheels engage the ground below the level of said driving wheel when said bicycle is upright.

12. An attachment for a bicycle comprising a pair of substantially flat brackets each having a substantially great width relative to its length, means pivotally securing one of said brackets along its width to the frame of said bicycle on one side of the driving wheel thereof, for vertical movement relative to said driving wheel, means pivotally securing the other of said. brackets along its width to the frame of said bicycle on the opposite side of said driving wheel for vertical movement relative to said driving wheel, an auxiliary wheel ournaled to the outer end of each bracket and movable with the bracket to a plurality of positions including one position in which the auxiliary wheels engage the ground when the bicycle is upright, another position in which the auxiliary wheels are above the ground, and bracing means connecting the outer ends of said brackets to the frame of said bicycle at a point above the attachment of said brackets for maintaining said brackets in extended position.

13. An attachment for a bicycle comprising a pair of substantially flat brackets each having a substantially great width relative to its length, means pivotally securing one of said brackets along its width to the frame of said bicycle on one side of the driving wheel thereof, for vertical movement relative to said driving wheel, means pivotally securing the other of said brackets along its width to the frame of said bicycle on the opposite side of said driving wheel for vertical movement relative to said driving wheel, an auxiliary wheel journaled to the outer end of each bracket and movable with the. bracket to a plurality of positions including one position in which the auxiliary wheels engage. ,the ground when the bicycle is upright, another position in which the auxiliary wheels are above the ground, and .a toggle lever for each of said brackets, one end of whichis connect- ,edit-o the Outer end of the bracket and the op- .posite end of which is connected to, the frame of said bicycle above the point of attachment of said bracket for bracing the bracket when" length, means pivotally securing one of said brackets along its width to, the frame of said bicycle. on one side of the driving wheel thereof for vertical movement relative to said driving wheel, means, pivotally securing the other of said. brackets along its width to the frame of said bicycle on the opposite side of said driving wheel for vert cal movement relative to :Sttl'Cl driv ng wheel, an auxiliary wheel journaled to the outer end of each bracket and movable with the bracket to a plurality of positions including one position in which the auxiliary wheels engage the ground when the bicycle is upright and another position in which the auxiliary wheelsare above the ground, a third position in which the auxiliary wheels engage the ground below the level of said driving wheel when said bicycle is upright, a toggle lever for eachbracket, one end; ofjwhich is secured.

to. the. outer endof Said bracket the other end of which is secure-d to the frame of said bicycle at a point above the point of attachment of said bracket, whereby said toggle lever in extended position braces said bracket in saidlast named position and when collapsed permits said bracket to be folded relative to. said driving wheel, and resilient means supporting said toggle lever in a partially folded position to constitute a resilient brace for said bracket when the bracket is in said first named position. a

15. An attachment for abicycle comprising a support secured to said bicycle. and adapted to s raddle the. driving wheel thereof, a pair of brackets, one on .eachside of said driving wheel, horizontally extending pivot means for securing one end of each of said brackets to said support, an auxiliary wheel journaled to each of said brackets, said brackets being movable about said pivots to position said auxiliary wheels in en-' gagement with the ground when said bicycle isupright, and to a second position in which said auxiliary wheels are above the ground. 16. An attachment for bicycles comprising an inverted U-shaped support adapted to straddle the driving wheel of said bicycle, the. outer ends of the legs of said U-shaped support extending through .a considerable tended laterally therefrom, an auxiliary wheel journaled to each of said brackets for engaging the ground when said bicycle is in upright position and said brackets extended.

17. An attachment for bicycles. compris ing a pair of brackets, one for each side of the driving wheel of saidbicycle, horizontally extending pivot means connecting one end of each of said brackets to the frame of said bicycle for substantially vertical movement relative to said driving wheel to permit said bracket to be folded against said driving wheel or to be extended laterally therefrom,

' a knuckle for each of said bracket-s pivoted to the outer ends thereof, an auxiliary wheel journaled on each of said knuckles, a tie-rod extending between each of said knuckles and the adjacent side of said bicycle frame formaintaining said auxiliary wheels substantially parallel to said driving wheel when said bracket is in either folded or extended position.

18. An attachment for a bicycle comprising a pair of substantially flat brackets each having a substantially great width relative to its length, means pivotally securing one of said brackets along its width to the frame of said bicycle on one side of the driving wheel thereof for vertical movement relative to said driving wheel, means pivotally securing the other of said brackets along its width to the frame of said bicycle on the opposite side of said driving wheel for vertical movement relative to said driving wheel, an auxiliary wheel journaled to the outer end of each bracket and movable with the bracket to a plurality of positions including one position in which the auxiliary wheels engage the ground when the bicycle is upright and another position in which the auxiliary wheels are above the ground, a third position in which the auxiliary wheels engage the ground below the level of said driving wheel when said bicycle is upright, a toggle lever for each bracket, including two halves, one end of which is secured to the outer end of said bracket and the'other end of which is secured to the frame of said bicycle at a point above the point of attachment of said bracket, whereby said toggle lever in extended position braces said bracket in said last named position and when collapsed permits saidbracket to be folded relative to said driving wheel, a projection formed upon the inner end of one of said halves, and a spring secured to said frame and engageable by said projection when said toggle lever is partially folded and said wheels are in said first named position.

In witness that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto subscribed my name this 24th day of January, 1930.

ALBERT LAURANCE HESS. 

